Dill, like other green herbs, is very delicate and needs to be handled with care. In this article, we will talk about how to choose and store dill correctly. Wondering how to store fresh dill at home?
Fragrant and spicy dill occupies a special place on our table. It is added to soups, stir-fries, salads, snacks, and salting. Many dishes without dill lose their originality. Dill is also used for medicinal purposes. In view of its chemical composition, dill improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, and alleviates the symptoms of kidney diseases. In addition, dill has a bactericidal effect. Since it is very useful, the issue of long-term storage of dill is always relevant.
Dill water reduces gas formation (for this reason it is recommended to give it to babies).
How to choose dill
When buying grass (or selecting for storage), pay attention to the following signs: greens should look juicy and fresh, with no signs of wilting or drying out; the stem of fresh dill is always elastic, and the leaves have a rich green color; leaves should not stick together, it is better to choose greens completely dry; yellow or dark green leaves – a sign of wilting and drying; the presence of an unpleasant odor indicates the staleness of dill and the beginning of the process of decay; dill exudes a slight smell, which intensifies when the leaves are rubbed. If it is absent, it means that the greens are greenhouse – such grass will not give the dishes a characteristic aroma.
When choosing dill in bunches, look at the place where the stems are tied with thread. It is there that rot develops most quickly. If you notice the slightest signs of decay, refuse to buy.
How To Store Fresh Dill At Home?
So that dill does not lose its taste and benefits, it is prepared before storage: do not wash the greens – this way it will “hold out” much longer. Dirt is shaken off with a dry cloth. You can rinse the herb before use; if the dill is too dirty, it is gently washed in a deep bowl (not under running water) and dried on a towel; before storing, get rid of damaged leaves.
There are several to store fresh dill at home. Let’s consider the main ones.
In a glass of water
The bundles are placed in a glass of water and stored in the kitchen, away from direct sunlight. You can cover them with a plastic bag and fasten the edges with an elastic band. The shelf life of dill will be 2-5 days. Water needs to be changed daily. However, if you want to extend the shelf life, it is best to store fresh dill in the refrigerator.
In fridge
Consider several storage options:
- in a glass jar. Dry, unwashed bundles are placed in a clean jar and closed with a plastic lid. Shelf life – 3-4 weeks;
- in a jar of water. Dill will stay juicy for 1-2 weeks if placed in a jar of water, covered with a plastic bag, tied, and refrigerated. Water needs to be changed every 2 days;
- in a jar of salt. Dry salting is used for long-term storage of dill. In this way, you can save the freshness of the grass for several months. For salting, take proportions of 1: 4 (1 cup of salt per 1 kg of dill). Dill is washed, dried, finely chopped, mixed with salt, and crushed a little with a crush. It is necessary to use table salt, from iodized dill it darkens and acquires a specific smell. The finished mixture is tightly packed into sterilized jars and hermetically sealed;
- in a plastic bag. The bundles are placed in a bag, they draw air into it, tie it tightly, and put it in the refrigerator. In this form, the grass can lie for up to 1 week;
- in a bag with an onion. An onion cut into quarters is added to the bag with greens, tied up, and holes are made with a fork for ventilation and stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. As the bulb wilts, it is changed;
In the freezer
You can keep dill for 6-12 months if you freeze it. The grass is washed, dried, finely chopped if desired, packaged in foil, cling film, or plastic containers, and frozen. You can freeze dill in ice molds by filling it with water. Such cubes are convenient to use for filling hot dishes.
How to store dried dill
You can store dill for the winter not only frozen but also dried.
There are several ways to dry:
- clean dry grass is finely chopped and laid out on paper (tray) in a sunny place. A week later, dry dill is ready;
- you can dry dill in small bunches, hanging in the sun in a well-ventilated place. After a week, the bundles are removed, wrapped in a linen cloth, and stored in a dark, dry place;
- the drying process can be accelerated in the oven. The cut grass is laid out on a baking sheet and dried for 2-4 hours at 50 ℃. In order not to dry out the greens, the oven door is left ajar;
- you can dry the dill in a cold way. Finely chopped grass is laid out on a pallet and sent for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Then it is poured into a bag or glass container and stored in the refrigerator.
Very often, housewives stock up on dill seeds, having previously collected and dried them. To preserve the aroma, seeds and dried dill are stored in glass or porcelain jars with tight lids in a dry, dark place. The shelf life of dried dill is more than 1 year.
We hope that these tips will help you easily preserve the taste and beneficial properties of your favorite spice. And what original ways of storing dill do you use? Share your experience in the comments.